The prime objective of Basedow’s 1916 expedition to the Kimberley was to check the Narlarla lead-zinc deposit for scheelite, a strategic mineral. Shipping from Adelaide to Derby, the party then travelled by donkey team and foot to examine the deposit, collect natural history specimens, and study the Aboriginal tribes.

Returning to Derby they embarked on the Rita for investigations in the Yampi Sound area before travelling by ship to Wyndham, where they examined the Forrest River mission area.

Basedow made detailed reports on the geology and natural history of the area and put together a large collection of photographs. He compiled a detailed Aboriginal nomenclature of the Yampi Sound area as well as general language details.